Sony Bravia KDL-52XBR6 Article

It launched last fall at $3,499, dropped swiftly to $2,999 and, as we speak, sells on Amazon at under $2,400. That's 1,000 clams in anyone's language. And because that it is part of Sony's higher-end XBR series, that it is loaded with numerous performance boosters such as a 120Hz refresh rate and advanced video processing; 1080p good quality is given. Now is this tier-one LCD HDTV a winner? In a few clicks from the supplied remote, we'll find out.

The is an attractive flat panel HDTV—if looking at a black piano-finished rectangular frame could be at all exciting. We think it's what you see onscreen that actually matters, but the television has a sophisticated floating glass design that sets it apart from the myriad of other flat panels available. Below the strip of glass that separates the primary display through the speakers is a lengthy silver grille you can change to match your room's décor—red, brown or gold—take your pick for $99 each. Other than a small XBR logo along with a lighted Sony nameplate, there is not much else to determine. Regrettably, there isn't any memory card slots or front A/V inputs, and you will barely notice many tiny status lights.

Around the left side, you'll find a wonderful set of inputs to handle game consoles, camcorders and cameras (USB, HDMI and A/V). On the correct are basic Television controls you won't use unless you can't locate the remote—power, channel/volume up/down, input and home.

The rear jack pack includes a good selection including three HDMI (four total), two component, PC-in, digital audio out, and so forth. You ought to be good to go with this selection. Separating the XBR6 from run-of-the-mill displays is the LAN jack, Digital Media Port for portable players and DMex port for the optional Bravia Internet Link

The Sony Bravia KDL-52XBR6 comes in the typical upright carton. Since the fixed is heavy and has no handles on the back panel, you will surely require a friend aid move it into position. The box also contains a quick setup guide, a well-written and designed 60-page owner's manual, an AC cord, remote and two AA batteries. Make sure you have your HDMI cables at the ready.

We got the arranged in place, connected two HD sources, loaded the batteries in the remote, then settled in to determine how it performed.

As with any major electronic device, the remote is your key interface. The supplied backlit control is decent, but just as we complained concerning the Pioneer's Kuro, you truly ought to get a far better one having a $2,000-plus television. After all, this really is Sony. Not Vizio, Westinghouse Digital or—Heaven forefend—a Polaroid. We at least expect a nice LCD readout, but that's not the case here. It's an elongated black candy bar shape with a fairly intuitive button layout, and entry to up three additional devices (DVD, amp, set-top box). There is also instant access to some key functions for instance theater, sound, wide and picture (we'll get into these shortly).

The KDL-52XBR6 has Television Guide On Display, a free of charge programming guide, but this has little use for most viewers because you'll use the programming information that arrives with your cable or satellite box. You just skip it during the initial set-up and before you know it, you are ready to watch television.

Just like the Kuro, this Bravia has video changes galore, although not high-end Imaging Science Foundation choices. Certain, you could have an outside expert come in and calibrate your display, but you're a lot much better off financially making use of a do-it-yourself disk, and/or your eyes to make the changes. Like many HDTVs, the Sony arrives arranged within the vivid mode as a default. This is a real no-no for films, but you need to use it for plain old Television shows—don't worry we won't tell. Really, it was enjoyable viewing Jimmy Kimmel's face beaming through the display in vivid, as it was for college hoops, or women's volleyball on ESPN HD. But back to the tweaking…

The KDL-53XBR6 uses the XrossMediaBar (XMB) menu method that made its bones on the PS3, and is now discovered on most Sony video gear. It's very user friendly, and gives access to five principal menus: settings, viewing photos, listening to music, watching Television and accessing external inputs. Below settings is image, where you choose the colour palette of your liking. Beneath custom it is possible to really go to town by adjusting backlight, contrast, colour, hue, colour temperature, sharpness noise reduction, MPEG NR, gamma, advanced colour enhancer, and so on. If you discover this too daunting, just pick in between vivid, common and cinema. There's even a game mode.